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How to Manage Solid Wastes ? (16 Steps)

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The composition and volume of solid wastes differ from place to place and season to season. The main constituents of wastes coming from houses are 20 to 75% food wastes, 5 to 40% plastic, 2 to 60% paper, 0 to 10% glass and 0 to 10% metals. It has been estimated that the per-capita waste generated in India is about 0.4 kg/a day.

Solid waste is the organic and inorganic waste material produced by household, commercial, institutional and industrial activities. A number of disease like gastroenteritis, cholera, plague, dysentery, jaundice and malaria may be caused due to such wastes. So these wastes should be removed from the locality, collection, transportation and disposal of all these waste require a high level of management.

Major part of plastic paper and metallic contents are taken by the rag pickers and used by recycling industries to make new products. Collection of waste should be rapid and frequent, because the waste contains organic matter which may decay under warm temperature and cause environment pollution.

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Solid wastes are classified into four on the basis of their sources of generation:

1. Municipal solid wastes

2. Hospital solid wastes

3. Industrial solid wastes

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4. Hazardous solid wastes

Solid wastes may also be classified into six categories depending on their physical, chemical and biological properties.

These are:

1. Biodegradable wastes:

These wastes break up into simpler substances naturally by the action on microorganism and disappear into the environment. Food, wastes, paper, paperboards are this type of wastes.

2. Non biodegradable wastes:

They do not break up into simple substance by the action of microorganism like bacteria and fungi. Synthetic polymers, plastics, synthetic resins, glass, metal and electronic wastes are examples of these wastes.

These are electric wastes. They include unwanted computer monitors, keyboards. Television, audio-equipment, printers, electronic devices etc. This waste affects the environment most and causes health hazards.

Management of Solid Wastes:

1. Many useful products can be produced from solid wastes by recycling process. In this process, packing card boards, handmade drawing sheets, newsprint unbreakable dolls can be produced from waste papers and cardboards.

2. Electrical energy can be produced from plastic wastes by establishing bio-menthanation plant.

5. Ethyl alcohol can be produced from agricultural wastes. Coal pellets are manufactured from agro industrial waste. These are called bio coal which are superior to hard cake. Some medicines arc also manufactured from agricultural wastes.

6. Bio fertilizers are produced from vegetable waste. Agricultural wastes like rice husk, groundnut shells, banana leaves can now be converted into energy rich fuel.

7. Organic wastes like vegetable peelings, agricultural wastes, cow dung etc. can be converted into compost under soil, which is a rich source of manure for plants.

8. Excreta of human being and other animals can be used to produce biogas that can be used for lighting houses and chullas for cooking.

9. Synthetic oil, floor tiles, and decorative housing materials can be produced from plastic wastes. Recycled plastic clothes are also made.

11. The ash generated by power plants slit from water works and red mud from aluminium industry can be used to manufacture bricks and concrete. It is also used as manure in agricultural fields. Fly ash is used in road making.

12. Poultry food can be prepared from wastes of silk industry.

13. Electricity can also be produced from sludge of sewage treatment plants.

14. Fertilizers and biogases can be obtained from aquatic weeds.

15. Garbage or kitchen waste can be used as fertilizers, fuel, and to generate power to drive turbine.